Bottle stopper



Jan. 17, 192s. 1,656,165

H. J. BRAGDON K BOTTLE sToPPER Filed sept. 27;`1924 2 sheets-snm 1 Jan.' 17, 1926. 1,656,165

H. J. BRAGDON BOTTLE STOPFER Filed Sept. 27. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented vJan. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES n 1,656,165 PATENT oFFicE.

HERBERT J. BRAGDON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO STOPPER COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE STOPPER.

Application filed September 27, 1924. Serial No. 740,178.

has certain features in common with the` structures disclosed and claimed in my copending applications for Patent Serial Nos. 633,845 filed April 23, 1923,' and 661,194 filed September G, 1923. In its preferred form the closure described and claimed herein comprises a cup-shaped member having its base seated in and extending transversely of the bottle neck and its side wall extending over the edge or lip of the neck of the bottle, and a yieldable resilient melnber or members, preferably of metal, seated within the cup adjacent its base and bearing against the side wall thereof. The precise construction and manner of use of the preferred form of the invention is set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings in which I Figure 1 isa perspective view partly in section of .the upper part of a bottle with my improved closure applied thereto, and of part of a' plunger used in applying the closure.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the stopper of Figure 1 positioned loosely in the bottle throat.

Figure 3 is a plan view of two resilient members, preferably of metal, the two mein bers being shown in the relative position in which they are assembled in the completed structurel Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views showing modified forms of the interior of the neck, or throat, of the bottle.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 showmodified forms of the resilient element shown in the preferred form in Figure 3.

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views of a bottle neck with Stoppers provided with the resilient members shown inl Figures 7 and 8 respectively.

The body of my improved stopper consists of a cup-shaped member designated generally by the numeral 1. The cup 1 comprises a base 2, an upwardly extending side wall 3 and an outwardly and downwardly extending flange or rim 4, 5. Seated in the base'of the cup 1 and peripherally engaging the 1nner surface of the side wall of the cup is a resilient element so formed that its diameter is reduced by the application of force under the conditions hereinafter described, its resiliency causing it to exert a radially outward pressure around its periphery after its diameter has been so'rcduced. element is preferably of metal, and may take the form of two circular plates or disks of sheet steel 6, 6, each provided with an aperture 7 preferably positioned eccentrically with reference to the periphery of the disk, and an opening or slot S connecting the aperture to the periphery'of the disk at the point where the aperture approaches most closely to the periphery. The form of the resilient members 6 is not limited to that shown in Figure 3, but I have found that form eliilcient in'use. The eccentric position of the aperture 7 leaves the tapering tongues opposite the wider section of metal at 10, and by placing two of these disks with the openings 8 diametrically opposite in the base of the cup 1, the application of pressure to the disks when the closure is seated in a bottle neck of the form shown causes the disks tov assume a concave-convex form as illustrated with resulting radial contraction, and the reaction caused by the resiliency of the metal sets up a sealing pressure between .the wall of the cup around the periphery of the disks and the interior of the bottle neck.

As shown in Figure 1, the throat of the bottle converges inwardly from the edge or lip as shown at 11, the chamfer so formed extending inward a distance slightly less than that to which the base of the cup 1 is forced irl applying the closure to the bottle. lielow, or inward, from the angle 12 Where the ehamfer 11 terminates the throat -of the bottle preferably takes the form of a very gradual inward taper, as indicated at 13. l"he taper 13 facilitates the use of the mandrel used in the manufacture of the bottle for giving accurate form to the bottle throat. In its initial form, i. e., before application to the bottle, the external diameter of the base of the cup 1 is greater than that of the inner part of the annular chamfer 11.` though lessthan that of the outer part of tbe clmmfer, as shown 'in Fig ure 2. .In the base of the cup 1, over the disks G I have shown in Figure 2a covering 14, shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 whichv This resilient desired, the disks may be left exposed or other means utilized for covering them. In Figures 1 and 2 I have indicated in outline a plunger 15 through which the necessary pressure is applied for forcing the closure rom the position shown in Figure 2 to the position s may be either be a hand tool or may be a part of a bottling machine of some of the types now in common use. Preferably the plunger is of such size and form as to apply pressure upon the central part of the disks. The plunger illustratedv is shown as having a convex end, thus initially contacting onlywith the centra.1 part of the base of the cup. The plunger may be provided with an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 40, 41, having substantially the same contour as the exterior of -the stopper. The ilan e serves to distribute the pressure and to limit the inward movement of the stoppe'r. As pressure is applied to the plunger when the sto per is loosely inserted into position as siiown in Figure. 2, the converging wall of the chamfer 11 forces the periphery of the base of the cup and the enclosed disks radially inward, the Aresult being to cause the disksfand base of the lcup to assume the concavo-convex form shown in Figure 1. The radial contraction of the disks is effected principally by their assuming this concavo-convex form, and the tendency of the disks, by reason of their resiliency to r'eturn toward their original flat form sets up a high degree of pressure around their periphery thereby eflectually sealing the throat of the bottle, and this tendency to return toward their flat form is increased by an outward pressure of the material in the bottle. The disks function in the seal as expansion members, their tendency to expand radially causing the sealing pressure. In Figure 1 I have shown the closure in sealing position, with the base of the cup and the disk 6 below, that is, insidev of, the angle 12, whichlmarks the termination of the chamfer 11 and the beginning of the gradual taper 13. The pronounced inclination of the chamfer 11 serves tov contract the stopper as it isforced'into the bottle, but the relatively great inclination of this chamfer might causethe stopper to become loose, if the pressure of the plunger were removed while the base of the cup opposite the-periphery of the disks was. 1n contact with this part of ,the bottle throat.

In order to impart stability to the stopper in its sealing position it is forcedfinward beyond the relatively violent inclination of the chamfer 11 into the gradually tapering part 13. The inclination of the part of'the ,dinally outward component ofthe orce.

ottle neck 13 is so slight that the lonoitucaused by the pressure of the periphery of the disks against the bottle neck is negliown in Figure '1. This plunger1 bly small and gives rise to no tendency or the stopper to become unseated from its sealing position. The principal purpose in having the bottle throat slightly tapered inside of the chamfer 11 is that the mandrels used'in shaping the bottle neck during the process of manufacture are ordinarily slightly tapered in order to facilitate their withdrawal from the molded bottle. The degree of taper necessary for this purpose, however, is too slight to impart any outward force to the stopper. The contraction of the stopper whereby the sealing-pressure is secured results principally, almost wholly, from the chamfer 11. 'In Figure 4 I have shown the wall of the bottle neck at 13lr .ing inwardly. Either of these latter forms may be used for the reason, above stated, that the necessary contraction of the stopper is imparted by the chamfer 11, the principal re uirement of the part of the neck inside o the chamfer 11 being that it shall not have such inclination as to tend toforce the' stopper outwardly. An efectveclosure can be e ected either with the slightly tapering throat at 13 as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, with the parallel walls 13 shown in Figure 4, or with the under cut wall 13 shown in Figure 5.

The resilient members or expansion members, may take a wide. variety of forms. For instance, a split ring of the form shown in Figure 6 may be used with sufficient separation at 16 between the ends to permit of the necessary contraction when the stopper is applied to the bottle. By making the periphery '01. the resilient member, whether a disk or ring, or other form, discontinuous, means are provided for its circumferential contraction. When expansion members of ldiametrically opposite, in order that the resilient element madeup of the two members shall exert outward pressure throughout the circumference ofthe enclosing cup member.

In Figures I and 8 I,have shown the resilient member` as consisting of a coil of spring wire 30 with the ends overlapping at least sufliciently, as shown at 31, to make the outward pressure continuous around the circumference of the bottle throat. I have shown the resilient element in Figures 8` and 10 as consisting of a ring 32 of rectumgular cross section. with the ends of the strip lll of metal of which the ring is formed tapered at 33 and overlapped. In other respects the construction shown 4in Figures 9 and 10 may be similar to that above described.

The cup 1 is formed. of some'material suf-l upon the outwardly extending part 4 of the flange. Ordinarily, the stopper will be `given its initial application to the bottle by means of a plunger such asA above described. either a hand plunger or the plunger forming part ot a bottling machine. This initial application Yof the stopper imparts a concave-convex form to the resilient disks as above described and seatsthe stopper' in the sealing position shown in Figure 1. lVhen in this sealing position the stopper' is capable of resisting a high pressure, such as that of carbonated liquids, and also resists the tendency to displacement which results from oils or soap or other slippery liquids. A direct pull lapplied evenly around the periphery of the stopper when in sealing position meets with great resistance, so great as generally to prevent convenient removal ofthe stopper by force so applied. The stopper can, however, be easily removed by an upward pressure upon one side of the flange about at the point indicated `by the numeral 17 upon Figure 1. Such outward pressure applied at one point displaces the base of the cup first at one point after which its release around the entire periphery follows easily. The use of the stopper to reseal the bottle by hand is facilitated by the fact that the original bottling operation imparts a concave-convex form to the disks as above stated, thereby rendering the reapplication of the stopper easier. lt will be observed that the inside of the throat f the bottle is Vfree from inwardly projecting shoulders or other obstructions that would wardly to a somewhat greater extent upon re-application than upon the original sealing, and the flange of the cup is so proportioned that upon the original application of the stopper some clearance is left at the point indicated by the numeral 18 and also between the lower edge 19 of the flange and any bead, such as 20, that may be formed around the exteriorA of the bottle neck. This clearance space permits the stopper upon reapplication to the bottle after withdrawal to be forced inwardly to the extent necessary to effectually reseal the bottle. The principal requirement of the materials of which the cup is formed is that the side wall 3 be of sufficient rigidity to transmit the force necessary for reapplying the stopper when such force is applied to the upper bend of the flange at 4, and a further requirement is that the material be sutiiciently compressible to form an effective seal where pressed outwardly against the throat of the bottle by the periphery of the resilient disks. In practice, I have found it satisfactory to use -paper made. of rope stock suitably stiffened by means of glue or other medium and rendered "waterproof and impervious by saturation with some suitable compound. Prefer-- ably the lower external surface of' the cup is covered with tin foil or other protectn e material which may also extend upwardly upon the exteriorof the side wall a short distance as indicated at 21.

From the foregoing it will'be apparent that the sealing efi'ect 1s obtained by forcing a radially contractiblel member inward through the outer part of the bottle throat, this part of the bottle throat converging inward at a relatively great angle and constituting an annular chamt'er of relatively great inclination to the longitudinal axis of the bottle neck. The movement of the resilient member inward through this chamfered part of the bottle throat contracts it radially, and when the resilient member ini-` tially has a fiat form, as in the case of the sheet metal member shown in Figure 3, and other views, the forcing inward of its prriphery causes it to assume the bowed or concaw-convex forni above described, which tendency is increased by the use of a plunger which contacts` with the central part of the resilient member After being so contracted the resiliency of the disk causes it to exert pressure around' its periphery against the wall of the bottle neck. Such pressure exerted against the relatively great inclination of the chamfeled zone would have a considerable component force acting outwardly parallel to the axis of the bottle neck and tending to unseat the resilient member vand make it ineffective as a-permanent seal, but by forming the part of the throat inward ofthe chamfer with a very slightly converg ing wall as shown in Figure 1. or with a wall parallel to the axis of the bottle neck as shown in Figure 4, or with a wall slightly diverging-inward as shown in Figure all liability of the resilient member to become nnseated is overcome. The outward component of force due, to the slight inward convergence shown at 13 in Figure 1 is so slight as to be negligible and of-no perceptible effect. The inward divergence shown at 13 in Figure 5 is too slight to permit sutlicient expansion of the resilient member to release its pressure upon the wall of the bottle neck to any appreciable extent. Therefore, when the resilient member is forced inward from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 1 a high sealing pressure is set up by its. passage through the chamfer 11, and by moving the resilient member inward just beyond the cbamfer where it coacts with the surface 13 of Figures 1, 13 ofFigure 4 or 13a of Figure 5 itsA position becomes stable and Ilot V secure against displacement except when dislodged by the intentional application force in the manner above described. I claim: 1. Means for sealing and resealing a vessel comprising/a substantially circular Wall surgrounding the opening therein, said Wall at cup-shaped member containing a' resilient radially contractible metallic member, said closure having a normal diameter greater than that ofthe inner part of vsaid chamfer and coacting in its sealing-position with the wall of said opening mward of said chamfer,- the diameter of sald opening inward of said chamfer being sufficient to receive and maintam sealing pressure upon said closure when forced into said opemng to different dis- 'tances beyond said chamfer, and said cupshaped member possessing tenacity and rigidity suiiicient to transmit the forces necesary for the withdrawal and replacement of. said closure without rupture or distortion thereof.

2. Means for sealing and resealing a vessel Y comprising a substantially circular Wall surrounding the opening therein, said wall ati its outer part converging inwardly at a relatively great angle to the axis of said opening and thereby forming an annular Vchamfer, said relatively great convergence of said wall terminating at the inner edge of said chamfer, a ,yieldable/ closure comprising a cupshaped member containing a. resilient radially contractible metallic-member, s'aid closure having a normal diameter greater than that of the lnner part of said chamfer and coacting` in its sealing position with the wall of said opening inward of said chamfcr, said metallic member being circular in form and having a discontinuouscircumference, thedi-f ameter of said opening inward from said `chamfer being sufficient to receive and'maintain sealing pressure upon said closure 'when forced into said openingto different disiances beyond said chamfcr, and said cupshaped member possessing tenacity and rigidity su'iiicient to transmit the forces nece@- sary for the withdrawal and replacement of closure having a norma said closure without rupture or distortion thereof.

3. Means for scaling and resealing a vessel ycomprising a substantially circular wall surrounding the opening therein, said Wall at its outer part converging inwardly at a relatively great angle to the axis of said opening and therby forming an annular chamfer, said relatively great convergence of said wall terminating at the inner edge of said chamfer a yieldable closure comprising a cup-shaped member containing a resilient radially contractible metallic member, said closure having a normal diameter greater than that of the inner part of said chamfer and coacting in its sealing position with the Wall of said opening inward of said chamfer, said metallic member comprising a plurality of circular sections each having a discontinuous circumference, the discontinuous arts of the circumferences ofsaid sections eing spaced apart and the diameter of said opening inward. from said chamfer being suiiicient to. receive and maintain sealing pressure upon said closure when forced into said opening to different distances beyond said chamfer, and said cup-shaped member possessing tenacity and rigidity sufiicient to transmit the forces necessary for the withdrawal and replacement of said closure without rupture or distortion thereof.

l et. A bottle closure comprising a cupshaped member and a resilient radially contractible metallic member mounted in the bottom of said cup-sha ed member, said idiameter greater than the opening in said bottle and adapted to receive and maintain sealing pressure in said opening when forced to different distances beyond the mouth thereof.

5. A closure for bottles having an opening gradually converging inwardly from the mouth thereof comprising a yieldable cup- Mshaped member and a resilient radially con- `tractible metallic member seating at the bottom of said cup-shaped member and adapted to be contracted radially when said Vclosure is forced into said opening to Y`create a sealing pressure between said closure and the wall surrounding .said opening.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 24th day of September, 1924.

HERBERT J. BRAGDON. 

